SPRINGFIELD – With a week remaining, the Toy for Joy campaign is just over a third of the way to reaching its $150,000 goal.

The most recent batch of donations now brings the total raised to $55,149, leaving $94,851 to be raised by noon on Christmas Eve.

Now in its 87th year, Toy for Joy is sponsored by The Republican and the Salvation Army. It provides holiday gifts and toys to needy children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

The latest list of donations include $1,000 from Wilbraham resident John C. Welch Jr. in honor of his late wife, Mary D. Welch, who died in May.

In a note attached to his contribution, Welch said he and his wife often discussed making a contribution to the Toy for Joy campaign in lieu of sending out Christmas cards. “This seemed like an opportune time to begin,” Welch wrote.

Mary Welch spent her adult life as a special education teacher in Springfield and was mother to two and grandmother to six. “Her life was based on trying to help all children,” Welch said. “This donation will continue her efforts.”

The distribution of gifts to the thousands of needy families in Western Massachusetts who registered for the holiday campaign began this week.

Salvation Army units in Springfield, Holyoke, Westfield and Greenfield are participating.For more information on Toy for Joy, call the Salvation Army at (413) 733-1518.

To make a contribution, write to Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield, MA 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contributions will be taken in person at the newspaper until noon on Christmas eve.